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Johns’ trial delayed to November

The trial date for the Coralville man who triggered an Amber Alert by allegedly kidnapping his 10-year-old stepdaughter in March has been delayed until November.

According to online court records, the trial for Kenneth Eugene Johns, 48, has been delayed from July 21 to Nov. 20. Court documents filed Friday stated Paul Miller, Johns’ attorney, sought the continuance.

On March 7, Johns allegedly abducted his stepdaughter from Solon, which triggered an Amber Alert. The girl was returned to law enforcement March 8, and she was placed in the care of the Department of Human Services.

Johns was arrested March 8, and he later pleaded not guilty. In June, court documents revealed Johns would “rely on the defense of justification” for the charge of second-degree kidnapping, a Class B felony, filed against him.

Along with kidnapping, Kenneth Johns is charged with domestic abuse assault while displaying a weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor; first-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor; two charges of possession of a firearm by a felony, a Class D felony; carrying weapons, an aggravated misdemeanor; violation of a no-contact order, a simple misdemeanor; and assault causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor.

Kenneth Johns, who is being held at Muscatine County Jail without bond, could receive up to 25 years in jail if convicted of kidnapping.